Televised Turbulence: The Media Arena of Pakistan
August 8, 2025
Pakistan’s Auto Sector: Revival, Trends & Future Outlook
August 8, 2025By Urooj Nasir
Intern – GDAP Summer Program 2025
An undergraduate student at The Aga Khan University.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought global travel to a standstill, and Pakistan was no exception. In April 2020, U.S. non-immigrant visa issuances to Pakistan dropped to just 103 approvals, compared to thousands each month in previous years. This collapse was driven by lockdowns, embassy closures, and widespread uncertainty.
But the story didn’t end there.
By March 2024, the tide had turned dramatically. The U.S. issued over 24,000 visas to Pakistani nationals in a single month—the highest monthly number recorded between 2019 and 2024. In total, visa approvals in 2024 surpassed 153,000, more than three times the 2019 figure.
What explains this surge? A combination of pent-up demand, backlog clearance, and relaxed U.S. visa policies likely played key roles. Pakistan’s swift rebound also reflects renewed interest in travel, education, and business abroad.
Interestingly, while Pakistan’s total non-immigrant visa numbers remain far behind India (with over 6 million in the same period), the pace of recovery in 2024 was one of the fastest regionally.
Year | Non-Immigrant Visas Issued to Pakistan |
2019 | ~43,000 |
2020 | Major decline (April: only 103 visas) |
2024 | Over 153,000 |
This shift underscores the resilience of mobility—and the importance of international connection. For many Pakistanis, the U.S. is open again, and the path from lockdown to liftoff is in full motion.
For More Information:
https://galluppakistandigitalanalytics.com/us-visa-issuance-statistics-dashboard/